Key retaining device for locks



y 3, 1938. A. o. RUFINO 2,116,045

KEY RETAINING DEVICE FOR LOCKS Filed Jan. 16, 1935 IN V EN TOR.

v 51% 0. Bzfino ORNEYS.

Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE Application January 16, 1935, Serial No. 2,128 In Argentina December 3, 1934 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in keyhole plates or escutcheons, and its fundamental feature is the provision of enclosed means for automatically maintaining the key-hole covered or closed.

Another and complementary feature consists in an element which projects outside of the keyhole plate and is mechanically connected to said enclosed means for closing the key-hole from the inside of the door. Said element is capable of controlling the opening of said enclosed means, being guided by a slot in the escutcheon.

Still another important feature resides in the provision of the semi-circular cut at the upper edge of said internal means which is adapted to engage a groove in the key-stem to prevent its removal when said means is in its upper position actuated by resilient elements. Additional novel features of this invention will be evident from the specification and the accompanying drawing intended to show how this invention can be practically realized.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a front plate or escutcheon for a key-hole;

Figure 2 is a rear view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the middle ofFigure 1;

Figure 4 is the outwardly projecting element or stud;

Figure 5 is an inside face view of the box containing the actuating device;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a key showing the groove in the key-bar or stem; and I Figure 7 is a rear view of the sliding and shutting member.

The plate or escutcheon I applied to a keyhole in the usual manner has its key-hole 2 for inserting the key in the lock and in the lower part of said plate is provided a longitudinal slot 3 substantially coaxial with the key-hole and intended for a projecting stud 4' to extend through to the outside of the plate.

At the rear or inner surface of the plate I is situated a box 1 which has its longitudinal sides folded inwards as parallel flanges, said flanges having their lower extremities bent inwardly to form heels 5 for supporting two compression springs 6 placed along the flanged sides of the box 1. In the box 1 is provided a key-hole 8 corresponding to key-hole 2 in the plate or escutcheon l and located oppositely to the same so that the key will also pass therethrough on its way to the lock.

Within the box I is located a sliding panel 9 which has a U-shaped cross-section with side flanges l0 terminating at their upper ends with outwardly bent short heels I I intended to engage the upper ends of the compression springs 6. A semi-circular cut I3 is provided in the edge of the upper part l2 of the sliding panel 9.

This sliding panel 9 is provided in the box 1 with its surface [2 in contact with the rear or inner surface of the front plate I and is normally pushed upwardly by the helical spring 6 acting against the heels II and supported by the heels 5 in order to close the key-hole 2.

The range of travel in up and down direction of the sliding panel 9 is limited by the stud 4f engaging in the longitudinal slot 3 of the plate, which stud is secured in the sliding panel 9 in the hole I4 provided therein so that it projects through the slot 3 which forms a guide therefor and in such a manner that it may be manipulated from the outside of the plate I. 20

The semi-circular cut l3 at the upper edge of the panel 9 has for its object to engage in an annular groove I5 provided on the shank of the key l6. Thus with the key inserted in the keyhole it will not be possible to remove the same from the opposite side of the lock either by pushing or turning. In order to remove the key from the lock the panel 9 is pushed downwardly by exerting pressure on the stud 4.

What is claimed is:

1. In a key-retaining device for looks, the combination with an escutcheon having a key-hole and an elongated slot substantially coaxial with the key-hole and adjacent thereto, of a box-like housing on the reverse side of the escutcheon provided with a corresponding key-hole, a longitudinal slidable member within the housing, a stud on said member engaging in said slot and projecting therethrough, means in said housing adapted to slide the slidable member into position to close the key-hole, while said member is adapted to simultaneously engage the key thereby retaining it in the lock, said means comprising helical compression springs, and heels on said housing and said slidable member respectively adapted to support said springs between them.

2. A key-retaining device for looks in accordance with claim 1, in which the slidable'member is provided with a notch at one end and the key with a, corresponding annular groove adapted to interengage actuated by said springs with the key inserted, and said springs tending to push said slidable member to close'the key-hole with the key removed.

ANTONIO OTILIO RUFINO. 

